(CNN) -- Colombian TV stations aired proof-of-life videos Monday of five hostages being held by Marxist guerrillas.
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as the FARC, released the videos two weeks before Colombia holds a run-off election for president. In the video, the captives ask Colombians to make a careful choice for president and to pick a candidate who will work toward their freedom.
The FARC have been waging war on the government since the 1960s and have routinely taken hostages. Several captives have been released through the years, including two in March. The rebels released six hostages last year.
The broadcasts identified the hostages as Captain Edgar Yesid Duarte, Sergeant Jose Libio Martinez Estrada, police Lieutenant Elkin Hernandez Rivas, Sergeant Luis Alberto Erazo and Quatermaster Alvaro Jose Moreno.
According to CNN affiliate Caracol TV, which said it received a copy of the videotape from the FARC, Martinez was abducted December 22, 1997, when the rebels overran a military base.
